What if...GooseNeck body to use as camper? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Elbert
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- Thread starter
- #3
what if you could buy the body noted above and then convert to a camper style or something? With body sitting on some type of small frame to get the body level and fully supported to mount on a flat deck.
Kind of a cool contemplated project...plenty of storage...etc, lockable access etc. Weight might be a deal breaker...not sure of the weight.
Friend bought the truck for some of the drivetrain....its a dmax mated to a 4L80E... He is going to use parts to swap over into an older GM crew cab dually.
Cleaning the thing to be safe might be a big deal, but don't know. I know diluted clorax/bleach kills about everything (just wondering).
poke holes in the dream... Not sure on weight but I'm guessing significant. on face value it does not look too tall either
Kind of a cool contemplated project...plenty of storage...etc, lockable access etc. Weight might be a deal breaker...not sure of the weight.
Friend bought the truck for some of the drivetrain....its a dmax mated to a 4L80E... He is going to use parts to swap over into an older GM crew cab dually.
Cleaning the thing to be safe might be a big deal, but don't know. I know diluted clorax/bleach kills about everything (just wondering).
poke holes in the dream... Not sure on weight but I'm guessing significant. on face value it does not look too tall either
Interesting Idea. You wanting to be able to use the rear of the trailer to haul the 60 I'm guessing. The shell would be better built than most campers and you would have tons of exterior lockable storage for tools, parts, generator, etc. It will be heavy, but I have to admit it would make a heck of a place to sleep and lounge around. Throw on an awning and put some chairs on the remaining deck and you would be set.
Be interested to see what you end up with if you choose to take it on.
As far as cleaning and such, that thing should be about as clean as an operating room, but like you said a spray bottle of clorox should take care of anything remaining.
Be interested to see what you end up with if you choose to take it on.
As far as cleaning and such, that thing should be about as clean as an operating room, but like you said a spray bottle of clorox should take care of anything remaining.
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- #5
Yea...the idea would be have this box sit up front ....60 behind...on a bigger goose trailer. (not what I have now). Would have to enclose the area where the hole is for cab access is... all kind of lights and crap. Probably has built in electrical system of some type...I don't know what might be cut up or missing, just pics so far. Contemplating the idea...might be crazy pain in the #@!$ to off-load from a goose trailer. I'm wondering if tehse bodies have threaded holes in the top for some of those lifting eyes that they use at times? Just wondering what might be a no-go.
Of course one might have to figure out how to get all the strobes functional....solely for the "Cool" factor.
I don't know...just seemed like a plausible idea.
Of course one might have to figure out how to get all the strobes functional....solely for the "Cool" factor.
I don't know...just seemed like a plausible idea.
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Ive been thinking about the same thing. I found a shell not far from here at the Powerstroke junk yard. I need to find out how much he wants for it first.
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- #7
Well...I've decided to take this on, its going to be a long term project for sure. First I've got to get my friend to build me a aluminum panel to cover the space where the hole is (where the body joined the cab). Likely the biggest time consuming project will be figuring out the wiring....two big wiring bundles bigger than my arm...which had to be cut right behind the cab. One was some major HD battery feed cables (the body had some kind of dual battery setup that got charged from the cab) and then there are the 50 or so lights all across this thing and wiring for various thing in the cab. Its got a large inverter/heater of some type etc. I'm not sure on A/C there (I know it had A/c of some time) one of the panels I cant get open so I think the heater is in there. Big job on figuring out what stays and what goes. I'll probably try to figure out some type of stand I can make for the body to sit on while I remove some of the battery feed wiring bundle and clean up underneath. Its got wiring and crap for "days"... I'll most likely have to resort to trial and error on some of the wiring...feeding a wire 12 volts at a time and then seeing what light comes on or what works and label that and go from there. No schematic in the body yet...I was hoping there might be one. I've read where some of the ambulance wiring setups are crazy to fix... I'm not above just removing most of that and just getting down to some simple core lighting and of course a/c and heat. I'll have to get another trailer and may have to go truck shopping too. Body is suppose to be in the 3500Lb 4000Lb range.
When we move the body (its down in south Al) I'll know what it will weigh at that point as I'll way the trailer we use...empty and then weigh on the way back home loaded. I'm hoping for no surprises. Body appears to be made of aluminum with partial fiberglass top. Everything locks and all doors and cabinets work on the inside and outside...except one on the outside appears to be jammed on something...where I believe the heater is. I may save some weight when some of this stuff has to be removed...as it will not be useful to me.
We will see where I go with it, contemplating building a simple square frame out of rectangular metal tube (in a large square) type shape (with cross bracing that would sit flat on the metal trailer deck) that will interlock with 4 or more stake pockets for mounting the body to the trailer deck and then some type of small frame off that to tie the body to the fabbed up frame mentioned. That way the body could be secure but removed (thinking of options ..this is just under consideration).
When we move the body (its down in south Al) I'll know what it will weigh at that point as I'll way the trailer we use...empty and then weigh on the way back home loaded. I'm hoping for no surprises. Body appears to be made of aluminum with partial fiberglass top. Everything locks and all doors and cabinets work on the inside and outside...except one on the outside appears to be jammed on something...where I believe the heater is. I may save some weight when some of this stuff has to be removed...as it will not be useful to me.
We will see where I go with it, contemplating building a simple square frame out of rectangular metal tube (in a large square) type shape (with cross bracing that would sit flat on the metal trailer deck) that will interlock with 4 or more stake pockets for mounting the body to the trailer deck and then some type of small frame off that to tie the body to the fabbed up frame mentioned. That way the body could be secure but removed (thinking of options ..this is just under consideration).
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Or just lift it and wheel it. Saw this rig at an east coast Overland Workshop & Rally event a few years ago. I think he works for / is associated with http://six13metalworks.com/ with some help from U-Joint offroad. This thing was pretty awesome. He converted one of the exterior storage areas into an outdoor shower.
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- #9
My friend bought the entire truck for the engine and drive line.... I just have the body. Here is how it sits right now. Soon we'll block off the front opening with a aluminum frame based wall/panel. What you can't see from this angle is that behind that rubber seal are some some holes where the body "bolted" to the cab, we'll use existing holes so as not to make things more of an issue. I've looked across the net...some guys are taking ambulances and using the entire truck to turn into a camper...I've come across a web site forum or too that has some folks doing that.
Truck was a 07 based duramax chassis cab....he is going to fix the duramax and transplant that into an older model crew cab tow rig and I think he may use the rear end out of this truck too, since it may be in better shape than what his other choice is.
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- #10
well I've decided to back off trying to do this. Too many irons in the fire syndrome. The body is off the truck. No known issues I've just decided that its just not for me, I"m not willing to invest right now in the other things that will make it work (large gooseneck trailer and capable truck to pull it). My friend owns the body and its physically in SW AL. ITs a great project and would make a great shell to rig up as a camper type setup for one maybe two people. If you are interested....pm me and I'll pass the contact info for my friend to you.
Timing is not right for me or I would take it on.
Timing is not right for me or I would take it on.
